Nectarine tree named &#34;Nectaroyal&#34;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, denominated “NECTAROYAL”, has a very long fruit lifetime, and bearing fruit having a sweet sub-acid yellow flesh of high eating quality and an attractive, very high percentage red skin. The tree is of medium size and is vigorous. Moreover fruit can be consumed crunchy or at maturity.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No. 2004-0743 filed on Apr. 27, 2005 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

-   Botanical classification: Prunus persica sylvestris—Yellow     Nectarine.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of [Prunus persica sylvestris—Yellow] nectarine tree. This new tree, named “NECTAROYAL”, produces very long lifetime, good eating quality, semi-freestone flesh fruit for fresh market in July in the Pyrènèes Orientales (66), France. Contrast is made to “ZAIMIGO”, “ZAITABO”, “RED JIM” and ‘ARMKING” nectarines, standard varieties, for reliable description. “NECTAROYAL” is a promising candidate for commercial success in that it has an early flowering and a very long lifetime and durability of its fruit.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

“NECTAROYAL” nectarine tree (genotype) originated in a cultivated area of the south of France, in the Pyrènèes Orientales (66) where it was tested. The female parent was “ZAITABO” nectarine (BIG TOP®) and the male parent was “ARMKING” nectarine. “NECTAROYAL” was provisionally designated and tested as 01.23.15.02 NJ and is registered at the Official Catalogue of the Agriculture Ministry of the French Republic Dec. 17, 2003 under number 1014088. It was asexually obtained by hybridizing and is propagated by grafting. It has been determined to have unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy for commercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of this standard rootstock on this scion cultivar. Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and all characteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plant was reproduced asexually on the property of S.A.R.L. Agro Selection Fruits, Les Règalines, Route d'Alenya, La Parde de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrènèes Orientales, France.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of nectarine tree blooms with “NECTAROYAL” nectarine in early March at Perpignan in the Pyrènèes Orientales, France. More particularly, it blooms from 7 days before “ZAITABO” and 10 days before “ANDANO”, between 28^(th) February and 16^(th) of March.

The first fruit ripens in July at the same time as “RED JIM”, nearly 45 days after “ZAITABO”. More particularly, it approximately ripens between August 14^(st) and 24^(th)

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph which shows a typical specimen of the leaf, stem and flower of the new variety.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows a typical specimen of the fruit of the new variety.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variations in soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potential for commercial production of fresh fruit by “NECTAROYAL” is high, due to its long fruit lifetime.

Trees are vigorous and medium stature half-standing in a semi-spread out aspect. The flowering shoot is present excuding brindilles side away from sun. Flowering begins early in springtime. The type of flower are showy and rosaceous with relative large and medium petal size. Petals are pale pink. Nectarine petioles are present and reniform. Time of maturity for consumption is medium. The fruit flesh is yellow with a lightly red pigmentation and its skin is thick very red with a yellow background. The stone is medium size and the flesh is very adherent. Fruit taste is sub-acid and sweet.

Compared to ZAIMIGO variety, NECTAROYAL has the same time of maturity. Lifetime of fruit is long instead of being short. Fruit taste is sweeter.

Compared to RED JIM, fruit ripens at the same time I middle of August, and have a longest lifetime. The red coloration is higher, 90% instead of 60%.

Moreover fruit can be consumed crunchy or at maturity.

Tree and fruit are disease resistant to chlorotic leaf spot, necrotic ring spot, prune dwarf, sharka (plum pox), nepovirus, peach latent mosaic and peach yellows. They are not sensible to cryptogamic disease.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has been observed during the fruiting season under the ecological conditions prevailing at Elne which are located in the Pyrènèes Orientales, France.

TREE

-   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered medium and large as compared to other             common commercial nectarine cultivars ripening in the middle             season of maturity. -   Vigor: Considered vigorous. -   Productivity: Very Productive. Fruit set is spaced by thinning to     develop the remaining fruit into the desired market sized fruit. The     number of the fruit set varies with the prevailing climatic     conditions, and cultural practices employed during the bloom period,     and is therefore not distinctive of the present variety. -   Bearer: Regular. Fruit set has been heavy during the years of     observation and thinning was necessary during the past 3 years. -   Form: Upright semi-standing, and pruned to a vase semi-spread out     shape. -   Density: Considered medium dense. -   Hardiness: The present tree was grown and evaluated in France. The     variety appears to be hardy under typical central Pyrènèes     Orientales climatic conditions.

TRUNK

-   Diameter: Considered average. -   Bark texture: Considered moderately rough, with numerous folds of     papery scarfskin being present. -   Lenticels: Numerous flat, oval lenticels are present. -   Lenticel color: Considered an orange brown. -   Bark coloration: Variable, but it is generally considered to be a     medium grey-brown.

BRANCHES

-   Size: Considered medium for the variety. -   Diameter: Average as compared to other nectarine varieties. -   Surface texture: Average, and appearing furrowed on wood which is     several years old. -   Crotch angles: Primary branches are considered variable. This     particular characteristic is not considered distinctive of the     variety, however. -   Current season shoots:     -   -   Surface texture.—Substantially glabrous. -   Internode length: Considered average. -   Color of mature branches: Medium brown. -   Current seasons shoots:     -   -   Color.—Light green. The color of new shoot tips is             considered a bright and shiny green.

LEAVES

-   Size: Considered medium to large for the species. Leaf measurements     have been taken from vigorous, upright, current-season growth at     approximately mid-shoot. -   Leaf length: Considered average. -   Leaf width: Considered average. -   Leaf base shape: Slightly oblique relative to the leaf longitudinal     axis. -   Leaf form: Lanceolate. Considered to be relatively narrow for the     species. -   Leaf tip form: Reniform. -   Leaf color:     -   -   Upper leaf surface.—green. -   Leaf texture: Glabrous. -   Leaf color: green.     -   -   Lower surface.—Medium green. -   Leaf venation: Pinnately veined. -   Mid-vein:     -   -   Color.—Light yellow green. -   Leaf margins: Slightly undulating. -   Form: Considered crenate. -   Uniformity: Considered generally uniform. -   Leaf petioles:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium.         -   Length.—About 8.0 to about 10.0 mm.         -   Diameter.—About 1.0 to about 2.0 mm.         -   Color.—Pale green. -   Leaf glands:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium.         -   Number.—Generally one gland per margin side. Occasionally             two glands per margin side.         -   Type.—Reniform.         -   Color.—Considered a pale orange. -   Leaf stipules:     -   -   Size.—Medium large for the variety.         -   Number.—Typically 2 per leaf bud and up to 4 per shoot tip.         -   Form.—Lanceolate in form and having a serrated margin.         -   Color.—Green, when young, but graduating to a brown color,             with advancing senescence. The stipules are considered to be             early deciduous.

FLOWERS

-   Flower buds:     -   -   Generally.—The floral buds, depending upon the stage of             development, are approximately 7.0 millimeters wide; about             11.0 millimeters long; conic in form; and slightly appressed             relative to the bearing shoot. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Color.—This characteristic is dependent upon the proximity             to bloom. The bud scales are deep purple. The buds are             considered hardy under typical central Pyrèenès Orientales             climatic conditions. -   Hardiness: No winter injury has been noted during the last several     years of evaluation in the central Pyrènèes Orientales. The current     variety has not been intentionally subjected to drought or heat     stress, and therefore this information is not available. -   Date of bloom: March. -   Blooming time: Considered early-season in relative comparison to     other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in the Pyrènèes     Orientales, France. The date of full bloom is observed on March. The     date of bloom varies slightly with climatic conditions and cultural     practices. -   Duration of bloom: Approximately 18 days. This characteristic varies     slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. -   Flower type: The variety is considered to have a showy type flower. -   Flower size: Flower diameter at full bloom is considered average. -   Bloom quantity: Considered abundant. -   Flower bud frequency: Normally 1 to 2 flower buds appear per node. -   Petal size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered medium for the species. -   Length: Considered average. -   Width: Considered average. -   Petal form: Slightly ovoid. -   Petal count: Nearly always 5. -   Petal texture: Glabrous. -   Petal color: Pink and light pink. -   Fragrance: Slight. -   Petal claw:     -   -   Form.—The claw is considered generally ovoid and has a             medium size when compared to other varieties.         -   Length.—Considered average.         -   Width.—Considered average. -   Petal margins: Generally considered variable, from nearly smooth to     slightly ruffled, to moderately undulate. -   Petal apex:     -   -   Generally.—The petal apices are generally entire at the tip. -   Flower pedicel:     -   -   Length.—Considered medium-long, and having an average             length.         -   Diameter.—Considered average.         -   Color.—A medium brown. -   Floral nectarines:     -   -   Color.—A dull orange. -   Calyx:     -   -   Surface texture.—Generally glabrous.         -   Color.—Purple. -   Sepals:     -   -   Surface texture.—The surface has a short, fine pubescent             texture.         -   Size.—Average, and ovate in form.         -   Color.—A deep purple. -   Anthers:     -   -   Generally.—Average in length.         -   Color.—Red to reddish-orange dorsally. -   Pollen production: Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow color. The     present variety is considered self fruitful (self-pollinating). -   Filaments:     -   -   Size.—Length is variable.         -   Color: Considered light pink. -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—Usually 1, rarely 2.         -   Generally.—Average in size.         -   Length.—Considered average including the ovary.         -   Color.—Considered a very pale green.         -   Surface texture.—The variety has a long glabrous pistil.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Firm ripe condition (shipping ripe). -   Date of picking: July and August. The date of harvest varies     slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions. -   Size:     -   -   Generally.—Considered large, and uniform. -   Average cheek diameter: Approximately 70.0 to about 80.0     millimeters. -   Average axial diameter: Approximately 60.0 to about 75.0     millimeters. -   Typical weight: Approximately 200.0 to 300.0 grams. This     characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing cultural     practices, and therefore is not particularly distinctive of the     variety. -   Fruit form:     -   -   Generally.—Considerably oblate. The fruit is generally             uniform in symmetry. -   Fruit suture: Very shallow and smooth, extending from the base to     the apex. No apparent callousing or stitching exists along the     suture line. -   Suture:     -   -   Color.—This has a yellow orange background color. -   Ventral surface:     -   -   Form.—Only slightly indented. -   Apex: Rounded. -   Base: Generally retuse. -   Stem cavity: Generally elongated in the suture plane. -   Fruit skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Considered medium in thickness, and tenacious to             the flesh.         -   Texture.—Glabrous.         -   Taste.—Non-astringent.         -   Tendency to crack.—None observed. -   Color:     -   -   Blush color.—This blush color is generally red. The blush             covers approximately 90% of the fruit skin surface. The             percentage of the blush on the fruit skin surface can vary,             and is generally dependant upon the prevailing conditions             under which the fruit was grown.         -   Ground color.—Yellow orange. -   Fruit stem: Medium in length. -   Diameter: Considered average. -   Color: Pale yellow-green. -   Flesh:     -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.         -   Texture.—Firm, juicy and dense. The flesh is considered             non-melting.         -   Fibers.—Few, small, and tender ones are typically found.         -   Aroma.—Very slight.         -   Eating quality.—Considered very good.         -   Flavor.—Considered sweet and mildly acidic. The flavor is             considered both pleasant and balanced.         -   Juice.—Moderate.         -   Brix.—About 14.0 degrees. This characteristic varies             slightly with the number of fruit per tree; prevailing             cultural practices; and the surrounding climatic conditions.         -   Flesh color.—Pale yellow-orange.

STONE

-   Type: Clingstone. -   Size: Considered medium for the variety. The stone size varies     significantly depending upon the tree vigor, crop load and     prevailing growing conditions. -   Length: Average. -   Width: Average. -   Diameter: Average. -   Form: Ovoid. -   Base: The stone is usually rounded to slightly oblique relative to     the ventral side. -   Apex:     -   -   Shape.—The stone apex has a small prominent tip. -   Stone surface:     -   -   Surface texture.—The pit is irregularly furrowed toward the             apical end. Pitting is generally more present and noted on             the lateral sides and toward the base.         -   Ridges.—The surface texture is generally characterized by             more prominent ridges along the ventral edges and is more             prominent at the apical tip. -   Ventral edge:     -   -   Width.—Considered medium. -   Dorsal edge:     -   -   Shape.—Full, lightly grooved, and having a reasonably smooth             margin. -   Stone color: The color of the dry stone is generally considered a     reddish brown. -   Tendency to split: Splitting has rarely been noted. -   Kernel:     -   -   Size.—The kernel is considered medium-large.         -   Form.—Considered ovoid.         -   Pellicle.—Pubescent.         -   Color.—Greyed orange. -   Use: The subject variety “NECTAROYAL” is considered to be a     nectarine tree of the middle season of maturity, and which produces     fruit that are considered firm, attractively colored, and which are     useful for both local and long distance shipping. -   Keeping quality: Excellent. Fruit stayed one week on tree before     harvest and then, has stored well up to 3 weeks after harvest at 1.0     degree Celsius. -   Shipping quality: Considered good. The fruit of the new nectarine     variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh or skin damage after     being subjected to normal harvesting and packing procedures. -   Resistance to insects and disease: No particular susceptibilities     were noted. The present variety has not been tested to expose or     detect any susceptibilities or resistances to any known plant and/or     fruit diseases.

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near ELNE, Pyrènèes Orientales, France, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and horticultural management are to be expected. 

1. A new and distinct nectarine tree variety as illustrated and described, characterized by a very long fruit lifetime, and bearing fruit having a sweet sub-acid yellow flesh of high eating quality and an attractive, very high percentage red skin. 